Maria Bamford: Getting Help & Getting Better

Maria Bamford is a nationally renowned comedienne and actress who's committed to decreasing the stigma associated with mental illness by speaking openly about her own mental health problems. She joins Dr. Phelps on Speak Your Mind as they discuss "Getting Help and Getting Better."
Air date: 12/19/13
#mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness

[@400KrispyKremes]

Maria is one of the funniest stand-ups ever. I love all of her work.

[@jacobbalash4427]

dr phelps could be a maria bamford character

[@arajackson]

I kept going back to see if she really did say "opportunidnus"

[@kittylikescharlotte]

thats what I was going to comment....boo hoo

[@ladiiIntellect]

I TRULY cannot express just how much Maria Bamford has HELPED me in my life, especially within this past year. She's not just a comedian -- to me, she is my saving grace. . . Whether I watch her video appearances or listen to her on podcast, Maria ALWAYS reminds me, without actually saying it to me personally, that I CAN and I WILL get through this. On another note, I definitely was disappointed with this video! I was REALLY hoping to have heard more from HER than the actual "interviewer". . . :-( . . . I am truly getting annoyed with people who think she is "what the world needs" but can't let her finish a sentence or a thought without interrupting. . . or better yet, asks her a particular question, allows her to START to respond, and then interrupts her to tell "America" that "this may or may not be associated with THIS, or THAT, or THIS OR THAT"!!! I'm PRETTY sure that if interviewers would start allowing her to COMPLETE A SENTENCE WITHOUT INTERRUPTION, there would be no need to "let people know" because Maria would do that on her OWN. I HATE being interrupted right in the MIDDLE of a thought. . . irregardless though, I will definitely continue to "follow her" and her story! One of MY Faaaavorite interviews with Maria is with comedian Aisha Tyler!!! I tried to find a link to a possible video of the two, but, unfortunately did not find one. :-( . I know for a fact that you can download it from iTunes for free, though! I did! :-) . . . . Aaaand, in closing, Thank You, Maria. THANK YOU. :-) That is all. :-) "Friendship is the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words." ~George Eliot

[@whateveruloveuare]

thanks for recommending the aisha tyler interview. i've been listening to it and really enjoying :)

[@ArtL7]

check out my article on her with links to various podcasts. www.huffingtonpost.com/art-levine/maria-bamford-erin-foley-_b_2976350.html?view=print&comm_ref=false her most thorough discussion of her mental illness crisis was on the mental illness happy hour with fellow comic paul gilmartin mentalpod.com/Maria-Bamford-podcast A collection of articles, podcasts and aggregation of her 20 episode web series, where she plays all 20 or so characters in a fictional crack-up and a return to her home town (the blogger who posted them mistakenly thought the show was based on a real crack-up): www.metafilter.com/124281/I--DULUTH-The-Story-of-the-Maria-Bamford-Show That web series drew such a cult following that it was recently enshrined in an exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art. She's now doing a short web series, where she imitates her mom, answering real questions from viewers. Mimicking and recreating her family has been a staple of her act for years, and she's noted for multiple-voiced character work; www.mydamnchannel.com/channel/ask_my_mom__7928.aspx aS NOTED ABOVE...Here's her on a podcast talking seriously to a fellow comic Paul Gilmartin on the crack-ups -- which she turned into stand-up material -- that she had over t two years dealing with bipolar II: mentalpod.com/Maria-Bamford-podcast She was't able to start touring again in a truly functional way until late summer/ last fall of 2012. Her twitter feed is @mariabamfoo and you'll see the rabid following she's gaining for her unique work. Primarily a stand-up and voice-over actress, she used to audition regularly for comic actress work on sitcoms for a decade or so, but got so little work she stopped going and only books shows where she's asked -- as apparently happened with Arrested Development. She was best known as the "Target Lady" for a series of pre-Christmas ads. What's so great about her performance on Arrested Development -- is that the directors, writer and show-runner knew how to adapt elements of her on-stage characters for your show, and it obviously really connected with audiences. She refers self-deprecatingly in her interviews to not "getting" acting but clearly with the right material, co-stars and director, she does really well. She also rarely improvises on stage, and claims not to be too good at improvising in her stand-up, but in certain shows and settings, she soars as an improviser, as in a TV show called Set List filmed in LA, now aired overseas but not yet here, where comics get premises a minute before going on, then have to build routines around them on the spot. Yet she brilliantly improvised in character as the crazed wife, Jazz Martin, of a pseudo right-wing Republican , played by Paul Gilmartin, on the Adam Carolla podcast. look for tha link online theadamcarollashow.libsyn.com/podcast/acp-60-richard-martin-paul-gilmartin-and-his-wife-maria-bamford

[@ladiiIntellect]

No prob, whateveruloveuare! Love your screen name, by the way! :D

[@ladiiIntellect]

and much love to ya, ArtL7! THANKS!!! :D

[@dasalottamayonaze]

SHE IS A COMEDIAN...AND YOU HAD / HAVE SERIOUS ISSUES STILL...RIGHT NOW...THIS VERY MINUTE YOU ARE IMMERSED IN NEGATIVE THOUGHT WAAAAY TOO MUCH! YOU WALK AROUND WITH TEARS BEHIND YOUR EYES AND THING NO ONE NOTICES! WE NOTICE.....WE JUST DON'T CARE ! H2sO4 WITH A BEER CHASER SHOULD FIX YOU RIGHT UP!

[@ktnarnia]

What a dark and dull world this would be without Maria Bamford. 💜

[@kdbwiz]

Maria is a huge talent. Very honest and brave in sharing herself. Lots and lots of fans out there Bammer!

[@GenghisVern]

She really is such a good person. I've been following her for years now.

[@BrianBattles]

I love Maria! This talk show needs a real director.

[@jgreen9381]

Wow Tim and Eric took a very subtle approach in this piece. Great Job!

[@pakk82]

jgreen9381 they actually would do something like that. a sketch too long and with so little effect but the humor come out of the absurdity of the existence of the sketch itself and it only caters to a small amount of people who are aware of enough of their body of work to know that its funny.

[@Bhatt_Hole]

+jgreen9381 You hit the nail on the dickhead I was waiting for the humor. That host is just too dated and stereotypical, I figured it had to be parody. Like when she says "let's roll the film, as they say" !!! I mean, how is that not Tim and Eric material....mocking the mundane nature of the jackasses in the world of broadcast? Yet, amazingly, this wasn't parody.

[@thebrazilianatlantis165]

Dry parody is very similar to the absurdity of the real world.

[@flutterfury]

I mean, it is Duluth TV.

[@nvafaded]

ROFL

[@lburrell1965]

Bamford is so damn loving for doing this video. You saved my life Maria ! You are so good !

[@mercster]

Love her even more now. Thanks Maria. I'm 37 and disabled with mental illness, and you are such a bright, funny, and honest advocate for people who have this disease. And by the way RIDICULOUSLY TALENTED! Can't wait for more.

[@mercster]

ROFL....just started watching 'Ask My Mom'...every time i hear "Why don't ya GOOGLE IT?!", I guffaw.

[@landryprichard6778]

A brave, beautiful, hilarious soul! Love her.

[@Dagger13824]

why is the host PERMANENTLY SMILING??

[@guypaul]

There is something kinda off about her interaction. Maybe she is just nervous or hyper-conscious about presenting herself as an expert?

[@craigyoungman8493]

I love Maria's comedy, and I love how open she is about her disorder. Someone I'm very close to has a severe emotional disorder, and I've been repeatedly horrified by the discrimination and abuse she's had to suffer from employers and even health-care professionals. We need more people like Maria to get people to understand that mental illness is every bit as real and debilitating as physical disease.

[@TheMikePemberton]

I Love Her. I also am really loving how scared the doctor keeps getting that someone has been offended at their particular issue possibly being trivialized. I think she might have some issues she should see a therapist about.

[@nuggets1356]

interviewer is bad. but im so greatful i found maria. im going through such a hard time with intrusive violent thoughts and feelings and it makes me feel like im not psychotic. these thoughts are tormenting and terrible and i know how she feels. its like she was describing me. wish i could give maria a hug.

[@JackE.Johnson322]

I truly love her She's been an inspiration of mine since I was a kid

[@triciakitty]

This really helps me a lot...more than you guys can know. I'm gonna try "flooding" to see if it can help me. I never feared I would hurt someone, but I get thoughts of losing people I love to horrific accidents. It's really difficult to talk myself through those thoughts and mental images at the time they are happening. Maybe flooding will help. I can say that no matter what thoughts I'm having, just hearing Maria's voice makes me happy. Maybe therapists should use her performances to get people through tough times. I think that could really help a lot of people smile :)

[@musicsoshiny]

triciakitty it's horrible and you aren't the only one finding something to drown it out definitely helps and knowing those horrific things aren't actuality

[@seanroche2358]

So cool Maria I love you ,you are my voice that I lost ,somewhere .Thanks

[@astolennova]

My favorite comedian, and such a wonderful person. This is great.

[@Darkmatter105]

Love maria and everything she does.I Battled with mental illness for a long time and I can relate to her quite completely.

[@AnnaMation]

Maria Bamford is a revelation! Such a beautiful soul, beautiful person!

[@gulliverhughesclenchpot3941]

Dr. Phelps is one of Maria's characters. I think this is actually a filmed hallucination taking place completely within Maria's mind.

[@hollydaugherty2620]

Lmao.

[@miconsumafuoco]

Much love to you Maria 💛 I love your sense of humor and delivery. I also respect your efforts to call attention to mental health. For someone who has struggled to process shameful thoughts internally or even with another trusted person, it’s extremely brave to speak about them publicly with the intention of helping others.

[@oliverleslie7382]

Maria is on this show as a service to help others. The Dr, is just there, because it is her show and her profession. Maria is not putting great weight into the back and forth, which is her being polite and still keeping the focus on real mental health - which, for the record, these doctors don't know much about. Not to be mean spirited but most of the professionals in this field, are by the book, they spent their career and pre degree time learning words and phrases like passive aggressive and OCD etc - but only from some clinical perspective. I don't seem them as really being helpful beyond a sounding board - even if they are not really listening, And sometimes a sounding board is all we need, like a good Barber or bartender.

[@tonysilker9685]

Maria we love you, you rock. Thanks for talking about your experience :)

[@shanewittig]

"Let's call these anxieties goblins." --Dr. Phelps

[@sahib5]

So glad to see that other commenters here agree on how terrible this interviewer/therapist is. What kind of therapist OR host of a show doesn't let her guest SPEAK? Maria CLEARLY knows a lot about this topic and is very very good at speaking to people. The interviewers interrupts her so often and talks down to her so often as well that the interviewers comes off as being needed, insecure and plain rude. Maria has clearly been educated extensively about this topic and is obviously using her notoriety to shed light on it. An incredibly brave move for anyone much less someone who makes her living in the public eye. I couldn't watch the whole interview because it was so frustrating to see someone treating Maria - who is so markedly intelligent and well spoken - being treated like a child.

[@LakeLadyOfficial]

I love Dr. Phelps' point about people not expecting cancer patients or those struggling with diabetes to just get over it. So why do we do that with mental illness?

[@andyman820]

the part about the cliff... and the surrounding context, thank you! i think i just found out why she's my favorite.

[@Creed0221]

I've loved her for years ... she's so funny ... Proud of you Maria

[@ther6989]

sick instrumental in the beginning! i downloaded it and now freestyle rap to it haha

[@fulishproductions]

This is so awesome, wonderful. Bravo!

[@bigallan121]

Hi Maria, Thank you so much for your wonderful comedy and your wonderful effort to help others. You are a treasure. I wish you'd come to Baltimore to perform. AL Wood - a devoted fan !!!

[@lburrell1965]

I love Maria Bamford so much ! Why did they shoot this when she looked like she had been dragged through a hedge backwards ?

[@boybobbette2776]

she looks beautiful to me... the backwards hedge look is part of her thing. I don't mind it ... and I think part of Maria's thing to be ok with how she looks - so that she helps spread the idea that everyone can chill out and relax - u don't need makeup to be beautiful etc etc...

[@bonkler]

Thank you Maria Bamford. And her sis and that doc

[@JCResDoc94]

Wow. Maria Bamford is AMAZIN

[@troygardner1610]

I'm not sure which of these 2 is crazier, but I can say which one was more honest/trustworthy. Maria, thank you for being you and willing to share your suffering in an insightful and enlightening way.

[@ksochia12]

thank you, maria, for speaking up. it's nice to know we aren't alone and can look forward to success!

[@ksochia12]

ambassador for hope

[@DNJ07]

Love so much Maria Bamford! thank you.

[@revk8611]

Maria is my favourite (Canadian spelling) comedian and I love her even more now.

[@someoneelse4878]

Dr. Phelps claims sometimes you run into a doctor who knows less than you, and this means you need to find another doctor, because there will be a doctor who knows more than you. I haven't found this to be true. To the contrary, the head of family medicine at the Cleveland Clinic eventually concluded I was "one in a million," in regards to my medical research into how "bipolar" drugs made me sick. And I was interviewed by someone working on their doctoral thesis regarding my illness (which was actually poly pharmacy induced anticholinergic toxidrome, not "bipolar"), and by the end of the interview I was asked, "how does it feel to know more than the doctors?" I also eventually had a couple doctors confess to my "bipolar" misdiagnosis, take it off my medical records, then suggest I go into public health, because I am such a good medical researcher. My point being, now that we all live in the information age, sometimes the doctors do not know more than the well researched patients. But there is a "white wall of silence" problem in this country, which is what prompted me to become a medical researcher. I do recommend anyone dealing with "mental health" issues look into Robert Whitaker's Mad in America website, and read his books, and also read the other authors recommended on that website. And I do so hope the psychiatric industry will some day change their "bipolar" drug cocktail recommendations, since all doctors should know that combining the antidepressants with the antipsychotics is already medically known to make a person "mad as a hatter," via anticholinergic toxidrome. Google toxidrome. Thus the current "bipolar" drug cocktail recommendations are unwise recommendations, unless the goal of today's psychiatric industry is to make people "mad" for profit.

[@ScoundrelDaysSon]

But the problem is, speaking as someone who's been extremely ill and dealt with medical professionals across multiple disciplines since childhood, that most clinicians (at all educational levels) do not like to be told how best to do their job. A recent pain clinic lead consultant, flat out disbelieved the severity of my condition until I showed her evidence from my main consultant, but, obviously beaten there, she then proceeded to ignore and dismiss side effects of one of my drugs as she'd not come across said side effects before - despite a wealth of evidence I tried to point to as proof, from anecdotal Internet forum chats, to lists of side effects available online! I didn't see her again, unsurprisingly.

[@22markski22]

"The ambassador of hope." Pretty incredible compliment, spread joy not hate ❤️ good show.

[@leo333333able]

Maria..... be happy, don't worry.... [there fixed it].

[@kelvynification]

She’s such a great ambassador:)))

[@Chris-is1rd]

For her to turn some aspects of her struggles with mental illness into brilliant, original and hysterical comedy is absolutely incredible to me. i fucking love her.

[@Scottdrruryiphone]

Love Maria! SO glad she did this.

[@kennethpogue718]

She's inspired me for so many years now. She makes me feel okay with myself. I'm nuts. Some might say.... Other people say i'm normal. WHO DOES ONE BELIEVE?! and now you have a birth of a comic.

[@thebrazilianatlantis165]

"I'm nuts. Some might say.... Other people say i'm normal." Just figure out how to be happy. Labels are overrated.

[@philipatha]

Maria's facial expressions show that she's struggling here. Like any doctor, Dr. Phelps is a little too concerned with being legally protected so she's trying to censor what Maria is saying but still trying to pry things out of her, in addition to not being a very good conversationalist. Frustrating to watch.

[@bastiat6865]

+Philip Atha Yes! I'm thinking, why have the conversation if you're so damned concerned about how her share is interpreted. Shitty interviewer.

[@boybobbette2776]

oh my GOD I KNOW I just wrote the same thing -- It's driving me BATTY. how did she get her own show?? poor Maria - she probably thinks it's her but it's so obv not!

[@boybobbette2776]

not to mention -- the camera work is clueless - stays on dr. p while Maria speaking - 4:50-5:14.... SOOOO FRUSTRATING I love you maria

[@rosinekabahire4468]

Philip Atha yeah

[@jeremyc9593]

Well, this is an educational piece, not an actual therapy session, so you should expect her to interject and expound on the topics being discussed. It was perfectly reasonable.

[@chemxcore]

Excellent video, I think I watched it at just the right time!

[@suziestolkin7194]

Wow, you are one brave great lady! I hope you are proud of yourself because you should be amazing!! A dear member of my family went through a very similar time in her life, bless you for sharing your life. Listening to you makes a lot of sense and is very familiar to me with my family member. Your work as "Stand up" will help so many people in understanding this illness. A close friend told me about you, I do hope you will come to London one day. Thank you! X

[@aidanoconnell9710]

Wonderful lady

[@dougl.6461]

Brilliant comedian

[@stormtrooper1564]

Love ya Maria

[@dasalottamayonaze]

MARIA!!!!....RUN...RUN AWAY AND NEVER LOOK BACK !

[@travisaggie2010]

After hearing Maria parody her sister so many times, it's amazing to actually hear her. Maria's impression is spot on!

[@PIXPromosMore]

Somehow all those "Target" commercials make a LOT of sense now.

[@BlammoGer]

Maria is not only great but also cute :-D

[@canadaeast]

Dr.Phelps needs a therapist.

[@zyxwut321]

Most therapists do. They're often people with various issues themselves and it helps draw them to the field.

[@stefanhoimes]

I don't trust a therapist that doesn't have their own therapist.

[@main183]

I love maria

[@hansonge]

I love Maria and who cannot relate?!

[@jasondelvaux3036]

Maria is my hero. And a genius. Plus she does voices for Adventure Time.

[@allthatjazzspaz95]

"'Roll that film', as they say..." Good one, girl.

[@susanwright4414]

❤ I love her so much. Another possible aid is Mnsr Rossetti's deliverance videos.

[@josephsynthesizer6410]

poor thing in the beginning!! Right on Maria Bamford, thanks!

[@NAATMNA]

lmao. I love how Maria jokes or speaks bluntly and the host scrambles to correct

[@davidjebb1805]

"You can call, but we're not answering..." Gee, thanks, Dr Phelps!! 😂

[@SANITIZEDINC]

Bamford = Best

[@truvelocity]

The only constructive criticism I have is that this interview was a bit unbalanced. I wanted less wordiness from the host and more patience to allow Maria to speak. But, like one of the people in this thread said, Dr. Phelps would be a good candidate for Maria to imitate in a future act.

[@dasalottamayonaze]

After watching even more............... ugh, BARF !!! Jeepers Creapers Dr. Lady, THE NEXT TIME YOU HAVE A THOUGHT....LET IT GO !!!

[@BillBraskyy]

4:03 reminds me of one of the social workers I've had in the past hahaha

[@lisaperez8276]

Maria’s interpretation of heckling is genius, also why is the host so judgy?

[@10010x0x0x01101XX0X1]

Is Dr. Phelps a doctor for adults or children...? She seems unpracticed and uncomfortable with the art of communicating with adults. She comes off as super condescending sometimes, in the way you see people who like, teach third grade children and then forget how to communicate with their peers as if they aren't fully functioning adult humans.

[@Stoney-Jacksman]

Many therapists..and even more..psychiatrists do this. College didnt prepare them to be humane and be ok with insecurity. It is very ironic. The power is extremely off balance and one direction.

[@keithkrause9199]

Watch this video VERY closely. Are both of these women the same person? Is this an Andy Kaufmann?

[@Snailbarf]

the host looks like she's 25 but has aged 30 years from trying to be right all the time.

[@jonhohensee3258]

?

[@SunAndMirror]

post pic so we can make fun of you :D

[@gatekeepersacredshapes]

I just wanted to see how she talked off stage and if her "regular" voice was just an act.. but no.. she actually talks like that.. so, i'm just going to accept it and love her any way lol!

[@marachime]

I love seeing Maria with her older sister. Somehow now, looking at her, it makes sense that she is a younger sister. I can kind of see it?

[@kellyshelley1427]

I have the fear without the actions.....I did have some actions when I was younger & like you a lot of this happened when I was very young. This counts for that, anxiety, bipolar....I was young. I had no clue.

[@JazzGuitar420]

Host is alright, not sure what everyone's talking about

[@jeremyc9593]

I agree. People are reading way too much into this.

[@nicholasmitchell8749]

Some correlation between Maria and the late Andy Kaufman that I cant quite articulate. It's about human connection and how we package our fears into character forms, as well as moral values that blind us from our connective opportunities. I think the only way out of those costumes is to wear them and bare them. Some might say that it is brave to be emotionally naked in public but when you are that entrenched in depression and self doubt the only alternative to suicide is to become emotionally naked. What usually follows is a diagnoses of some description. Heck, my wife (who I have been with since 1999) was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia back in 2000. Her long standing doctor has still yet to understanding that all her "patients" are really asking for is a little empathy. A little empathy goes a long way when you exist within an environment that only knows how to communicate from the neck up.

[@piemakerproductions]

Maria's impression of her sister is dead on.

[@edwalker3316]

I read through the comments during the first few minutes. Now I'm halfway through the video, and I can see why everyone was getting so annoyed at this interviewer/doctor.Maria is awesome though

[@MafiaHairdresserJonDavid]

I love what Maria Bamford has done for mental illness: a laughing happy face!

[@laylagardner8728]

Lol at the people who are complaining that the host of a public access show isn't very good. What were you expecting?

[@marcmedina4376]

sHES SO FUNNY! wE ALL lOVE HER!

[@JerKur18]

Oh my God! I thought I was the only one with unwanted thoughts and fears of them.

[@Hooozyer]

she's so funny.

[@jeffdawson2786]

There’s nobody like Maria.

[@jamesfaedtke2914]

I think dr Steve brule should have done the interview

[@adamrara]

Maria Bamford: Between Two Perms 23:09

[@dangertreachery]

Phelps is incredibly phony and condescending towards Maria. We salut you, dear Maria, for your bravery! Get a life Phelps.

[@damon123jones]

I love maria and annylsis is super dull

[@vankula]

Not sure why Ford had yes to sponsor this comedian...BAM!

[@chrisvoa]

Does anyone know the tune playing during the short "break"?

[@boujiatexas1870]

Love me some bamford lol . It's crazy to actually she her sister.

[@snailbutch]

i had sudden thoughts where i worried if i fell asleep a family member would die and would be up for days on end at about 8 ish thought i wouldve killed myself by 12 still hanging 20 years later

[@bgknowable]

Way to go home and welcome the risk. Up there... Is it the ‘80’s Raddison restaurant that rotates? OG MN woman moving through the fear...and sooo much therapy. Big girl pants. Tells the stories MB. Tells.

[@ralieghTsakers]

BAMMERS!

[@dooalot]

Wow! Maria you go back there, hmm. I used to call it the Damiano Pizza parlour I think they served lunch or dinner and maybe you could get a free coat off the comminty coat rack. Very interesting, I remember the view in the background. Hope I dont have to go back there unless it maybe july or august. Be well. an remember what G. Carlin said, If you cant say anything nice, go ahead. Jeff

[@informatist]

Is it just me, or can this psychologist just drop the "logist" from her professional title and just call herself a psycho? Watch how she flips out (somewhere between the 2 and 4 minute marks, I think) and has a mini panic attack over Maria admitting that she's atheist or agnostic... It's kind of an unstable reaction if you ask me.

[@mariamurillo5352]

Did she say "oportunitist"?

[@boybobbette2776]

this is so unbelievably frustrating! what is UP with Dr. Phelps?? SO unnatural.. doesn't engage with Maria at all in any normal way.. she doesn't laugh when Maria is clearly being funny.. it ALMOST comes across like the doctor is jealous or something... & what the HELL is up with her hands? DR P PUT YOUR H A N D S D O W N. please. I just want to tell Maria - thank you for pushing thru this obv painful experience - and you shouldn't have resisted the urge to slap the doctors upturned hands - maybe that would have jolted the alien out of her clearly abducted body. gah! I love you Maria!

[@Smiley-Coyote]

Boy Bobbette I don’t now what you’re talking about, she seemed perfectly nice. This isn’t a therapy session, it’s a show on PBS. Chill.